Taylor sparks Eastside to second round

Senior Trent Taylor has led Eastside soccer throughout the 2012 season and as the playoffs started for the Eagles Thursday, he continued to do the same.

The Eagles' captain scored four goals as Eastside went on the road to defeat second-seeded Richmond Academy in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs. The Eagles (11-6-2) travel to Region 5 No. 1 seed Woodward Academy 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Thursday's match began with the Eagles looking to settle in during the first 10 minutes or so.

Matt Edminston put the Eagles first shot on goal after a scramble in the Musketeers' penalty box.

However, Richmond Academy's keeper came up with the stop and the first half continued with neither team able to find a goal. The second half began with each team fighting for possession in the middle before a Richmond Academy player got behind the Eastside defense.

During the one-on-one with Eastside's keeper, the Musketeers (10-9) put one in the back of the net to break the stalemate and go up 1-0.

From that point on, Eastside was sparked displaying gritty midfield play and stern defending.

Five minutes after going down a goal Eastside freshman Jake Shelton received a ball on the left side. He then made a move toward goal and sent a low, hard shot across the face of goal. The Richmond keeper was unable to hang on it and Taylor gathered the rebound before tying it up.

Three minutes later Jacob Alwes broke free down the right wing and sent in his cross which was met by Taylor to put the Eastside ahead. Taylor secured the hat trick just two minutes later. Ahead 3-1, Eastside moved the ball around keeping it and a victory away from Richmond.

With less than a minute showing on the clock, Jabari Bennet lobbed a pass over the defender's head and Taylor struck a goal for the fourth time.

In his first year as head coach, Champ Young has led the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs.

The trip came as a bit of a journey after Young had to go through several lineups due to injury.

"It feels great," Young said. "We were a little tight to start because it was such a new experience for them."